Michelin star restaurant chef Andy Beaumont has been appointed Executive Head Chef at Newport’s Mojo The FoodBar which opens next month (August).
Andy, aged 29, from Abergavenny, previously worked at leading Wales Michelin star restaurant Tyddn Llan under internationally renowned head chef and owner Bryan Webb.
Andy has also worked in key roles at Michelin starred and 3 AA rosette restaurants such as The Hamborough, on the Isle of Wight; Lower Slaughter Manor, in the Cotswolds and at Hammet House, Cardigan. Andy also starred in BBC’s Great British Menu D Day 70th memorial programme in 2014.
Cocktails expert Christos Kyriakidis, with experience gained mixing drinks in some of the world’s top bars, has been appointed the restaurant’s bar manager and head of mixology.
Mojo The FoodBar, a fine food and cocktails restaurant at Clarence Place, Newport, opens for the first time on Tuesday, August 11. It is just across the river Usk from the new multi million pound Friars Walk retail and restaurant development anchored by Debenhams due to open in November (2015).
Monmouthshire man Andy, born and raised on his family’s farm in Abergavenny, said: “I was attracted to Mojo the Food Bar because of the amazing chance that it offers to cook my own food to a very high standard. I am very excited by the challenge and also to be able to remain here in Wales where we can source some of the very best produce that the UK has to offer.
Newport businessman Lewis Lewis and Seng Ming Koh, a former investment banker, the founding directors of the Niche Hospitality Group owners of Mojo The FoodBar, said: “We are thrilled at having been able to secure Andy as our Executive Head Chef for Mojo The Food Bar. Andy has a wealth of experience gained over the past decade which he is keen to put into practice at Mojo The FoodBar.”
The Niche Group estimates it will plough in some £130,000 to create Mojo The FoodBar at the former Rossini’s restaurant site, Clarence Place, creating 15 full-time positions and another six part-time jobs.